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NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

July 4, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-20


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


TF 4-64 IMPROVES CONDITIONS AT KHALDIYAH CLINIC

AL FALLUJAH, Iraq - As the rebuilding of Iraq continues, so do the daily missions of supply distribution throughout the country.

Hospitals and medical clinics were looted and ransacked during the war are now operating with greater resources than before the fighting began.

In 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division's area of operation, greater Fallujah, medical facilities have received supplies and services from the brigade and its task forces on a daily basis.

A Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, continued the distribution effort July 3 at Khaldiyah Medical Clinic.

Part of Task Force 4-64, A Company, 3-7 Infantry, delivered and installed five air-conditioning units, shelving units, waiting room chairs, toilets and washbasins, a safe, and a refrigerator in the clinic.

This marked the task force's fourth visit to the clinic. Previous visits included assessments, medical supply distribution and salary arrangements.

"Based on what the local residents have said, the clinic has never been as nice as it is now," said Maj. Mark R. Rasins, TF 4-64 executive officer. "A majority of the effort that has been put into the clinic is based on what the people have said they need."


"We were able to get (KMC) two dental examination rooms, complete with chairs, lights and all the fixtures that are necessary to make them fully operational," Rasins said. "(The clinic) hired local contractors and residents to assemble the rooms."

The clinic has also received ceiling fans, and 15 fluorescent lights and fixtures, as well as much needed medical and surgical supplies in previous weeks.

The reception they receive now is a far cry from that of the first two visits, according to TF 4-64 physician's assistant, U. S. Army 1st Lt. John Frasure.

"The first time we came here, we received some very unpleasant looks," he said. "And the second time, (the residents) threw rocks at us."

Another area of initial resentment came from doctors at the hospital.

"When we pulled up (for the first two visits), patients mobbed us, wanting us to diagnose and treat them - the doctors just stood and watched this," Frasure said. "We were finally able to convince them that we couldn't provide any better treatment than the Iraqi doctors - the expertise doesn't vary."

As the amenities continue being delivered to KMC, and with a fully functional generator already in place, the clinic is well on its way to becoming an efficient medical facility, according to Rasins.

U. S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dunkleman, TF 4-64 intelligence analyst, has provided the handyman skills necessary to install air conditioning units and a new circuit breaker, as well as rewiring electricity throughout the clinic. "I enjoy getting out and doing this for the communities," he said. "Most of the time I get help from the staff and locals."

It is the increasing motivation of the local populace and their ever-warming reception to American soldiers that is making the TF 4-64 job easier to do.

"We've done a lot to win over the hearts and minds of Iraq," Rasins said. "And the soldiers deserve all the credit. It's phenomenal - they've gone from 'see it and shoot it' to handing out soccer balls with a smile. They've done an amazing job."

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